‘”This time of year, it’s unacceptable to get a lead like that and blow it away the way we did,” captain Jason Pominville said. “To give up seven unanswered goals at this time of year, that’s just not going to cut it.”‘

‘”I’m very, very surprised with that, especially with the amount of offensive guys they have on that team,” Briere said Thursday before the Sabres’ 7-2 loss to the Flyers in Wells Fargo Center. “I thought it would have clicked with a few of their players at least. I always felt that myself and Ville were kind of on the same page as far as the way we saw the game offensively when we were on the ice. I know when I was in Buffalo I had some great years as well playing with [Jason] Pominville and Jochen Hecht, so I thought for sure at least those two guys would click well with him.”‘

‘“There’s always more pressure if you get a good contract. People are looking for you to contribute and it’s always a little harder,” Leino said. “But I don’t think that would be the reason (for the struggles). It’s just been hard to get things going teamwise.”’

‘”There’s always more pressure if you’ve got a good contract,” Leino said. “People are looking for you to contribute. It’s a little harder. But I don’t think that’s the reason. It’s just been harder to get things going team-wise, and I think I finally feel more comfortable with the system and in my own game. The last five games it’s been going pretty good.”‘